Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 20, 2026
06:45
Task Interruption and Resumption Paradigm for Testing the Activation and Pursuit of an Abstract Thinking Goal
Published on: April 18, 2017
Investing in karma: when wanting promotes helping
Benjamin A Converse1, Jane L Risen, Travis J Carter
1Frank Batten School of Leadership and Public Policy, University of Virginia, Charlottesville 22904, USA. converse@virginia.edu
Psychological Science
|July 5, 2012
Summary
When people lack control over important outcomes, they increase charitable giving to influence fate. This "karmic investment" boosts optimism and demonstrates proactive good deeds to encourage favorable results.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Behavioral Economics
- Sociology
Background:
- Individuals often experience situations with uncertain outcomes beyond their personal control.
- This lack of control can lead to feelings of helplessness or anxiety.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the "karmic-investment hypothesis": whether people increase prosocial behavior when facing uncontrollable outcomes.
- To explore the psychological mechanisms linking perceived control, desire, and altruism.
Main Methods:
- Four experiments were conducted to test the karmic-investment hypothesis.
- Methods included measuring donations of time and money, assessing participation in rewarding activities, and evaluating pledges at a job fair.
- Participants' feelings of personal control and optimism were also measured.
Main Results:
- When desire and uncertainty were high and personal control was low, participants increased donations.
- This effect was specific to prosocial behaviors, not general rewarding activities.
- Perceived external control correlated with increased charitable pledges, and karmic investments enhanced outcome optimism.
Conclusions:
- Lack of personal control over desired outcomes can motivate individuals to engage in "karmic investments" through increased altruism.
- This phenomenon highlights the interplay between perceived control, magical beliefs, and prosocial behavior.
- Helping others may serve as a strategy to proactively influence uncertain future events.
Related Concept Videos
01:55Egoism and Altruism
Voluntary behavior with the intent to help other people is called prosocial behavior. Why do people help other people? Is personal benefit such as feeling good about oneself the only reason people help one another?
01:03Altruism
Altruistic behaviors are “unselfish” behaviors—those that help another individual at the expense of the individual carrying out the behavior. Despite the negative consequences for the altruistic animal, these behaviors are thought to have evolved for several reasons.
01:52Persuasion Strategies
Researchers have tested many persuasion strategies, including the foot-in-the door and the door-in-the-face techniques, in a variety of contexts. Ultimately, the principles are effective in selling products and changing people’s attitude, ideas, and behaviors (Cialdini & Goldstein, 2004).
02:34Empathy
Some researchers suggest that altruism operates on empathy. Empathy is the capacity to understand another person’s perspective, to feel what he or she feels. An empathetic person makes an emotional connection with others and feels compelled to help (Batson, 1991). Empathy can be expressed in several ways, including cognitive, affective, and motor.
01:28Factors Influencing Attraction IV: Reciprocity
Reciprocity in attraction is fundamental to social and romantic relationships, shaping how individuals form and maintain connections. The psychological principle underlying this phenomenon is that people tend to like those who express liking toward them. Balance theory supports this tendency, suggesting that mutual attraction fosters psychological harmony, whereas one-sided affection leads to discomfort and cognitive dissonance.The Psychological Mechanisms Behind ReciprocityWhen individuals...
01:18Incentive Theory: Pull Theory of Motivation
Incentive theory, or the "pull theory" of motivation, suggests that external rewards primarily drive behavior. Individuals are motivated to engage in activities when they anticipate a desirable outcome. This is why people often work hard for promotions or study intensively to achieve high grades. These incentives can be tangible, physical rewards such as money or promotions, or intangible, non-physical rewards like praise and social recognition.
The theory differentiates between intrinsic and...
The theory differentiates between intrinsic and...